President Donald Trump has selected Katie Zacharia, a conservative commentator and senior communications adviser at Trump Media & Technology Group, as the new White House press secretary. Zacharia will be the sixth individual to hold the role during Trump’s two administrations.
Trump praised Zacharia on social media, describing her as a “loyal” and “devoted fan and member of MAGA” with an “unblemished record of support.” He expressed confidence in her ability to work effectively with the media, the American public, and his administration.
Background and Experience
At 42, Zacharia is a seasoned political strategist who has been active in Republican politics for much of her adult life. Her early experience includes internships with the Republican National Committee and a role in the White House Office of Political Affairs during the Bush administration in 2006.
More recently, she has been a frequent guest on conservative news outlets such as Newsmax and Fox News. Since June, she has held a senior communications adviser position at Trump’s media company and Truth Social platform.
Zacharia briefly served as a spokesperson at the Department of Homeland Security from February to March 2026. She reportedly left the department citing the strain of travel between California and Washington on her family. A lawyer trained at Pepperdine University, she has also served as general counsel for Fix California, a conservative nonprofit founded by Trump ally Ric Grenell.
Transition and Role Responsibilities
Zacharia replaces Karoline Leavitt, who stepped down in August and has since taken a role with Fox News. Trump described Leavitt as one of his most trusted aides, setting a “high bar” for Zacharia to follow.
The White House press secretary’s role involves not only managing briefings but also handling complex relationships with the press, coordinating internally within the White House, and advising the president on media strategy. The office also manages numerous daily inquiries and requests.
Public Statements and Political Stance
Zacharia is known for her strong defense of Trump and his policies. In a June interview with the BBC, she dismissed criticisms regarding Trump’s decision to host a televised UFC event at the White House, equating the sport’s principles with the American ethos of persistence and resilience.
Trump noted that Zacharia was involved in his campaign efforts in key swing states, achieving victories in all seven states they focused on. He expressed certainty that she will produce strong results as the White House press secretary.
